Gary Convis Named President of Toyota Georgetown Plant, Becomes First American to Head Vehicle Plant in North America For the Automaker

    ERLANGER, Ky., March 29 Toyota Motor Manufacturing North
America (TMMNA) announced today that Gary Convis will become president of its
Georgetown, Ky. manufacturing plant, effective in April.  Convis will be the
first American to serve in the top spot at any of the automaker's vehicle
plants.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010329/CLTH010 )
    "Gary Convis will be an able leader for Toyota Motor Manufacturing,
Kentucky," said Teruyuki Minoura, president of TMMNA.  "Through his knowledge
of the Toyota Production System and his excellent experience in the auto
industry, Gary has emerged as one of Toyota's strongest executives worldwide."
    "Gary's promotion to president signals the evolution of Toyota's
philosophy to develop talented management in the countries where we make our
products," Minoura added.
    Convis began his career with Toyota in 1984 as part of the start-up team
for New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI), the company's joint venture
with General Motors.  He had worked the previous 18 years for Ford following a
three-year tenure with General Motors.
    A year ago, Convis moved to TMMK as executive vice president and has had
the primary responsibility for the plant's daily manufacturing operations.
Masamoto Amezawa, who has served as TMMK's president since 1998, will move
into a new role as chairman of TMMK.
   "I want TMMK to be the premier auto manufacturer in the world," Convis
stated.  "This plant is Toyota's largest operation outside of Japan, and plays
a key role in the company's success globally.  Our team members have earned a
reputation for building the highest quality products in North America, and I
am honored to have been selected to lead them as our challenges become even
stronger."
    The Georgetown plant builds the Camry, which for four years running has
been the number one selling car in the United States.  It also makes Toyota's
flagship car, the Avalon, and is the exclusive manufacturer of the Sienna
minivan.  The plant also builds V6 and 4-cylinder engines. TMMK has an annual
capacity of 500,000 for both vehicles and engines.  It has won numerous
J.D. Power and Associates plant quality awards, most recently earning its
fourth Gold Plant Award in 2000.
    The plant's 7,800 team members heard about Convis' appointment through a
special videotaped message from former TMMK president and current Toyota Motor
Corporation president, Fujio Cho.
    "I am convinced that Gary is the right man for the job," Cho said.  "I
know Gary will be a strong and caring president, who will lead your team to
new levels of achievement, while taking a personal interest in your health,
safety and satisfaction on the job."
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